How I Travel: Sir Richard Branson Packs a Chess Set in His Carry-on

The honk of the geese as they take off from the lake is comically loud, reeds quiver and the reflection of the clouds on the water is momentarily fractured. A butterfly flits by, landing on my boot. We’re on a guided walk at 42 Acres, a regenerative farm, nature reserve and retreat centre near Frome in Somerset – and the whole place feels vibrantly alive.

This Mother’s Day (12 May 2024), treat a travel-loving mum with one of these indulgent beauty gifts to make a long-haul journey just that little bit easier. From skin rejuvenating creams to hydrating mists, these gifts will pamper and make every Mum feel loved when away from home.

Capital A—the parent of budget carrier AirAsia that’s owned by tycoons Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun—is merging its various airline affiliates across Southeast Asia in a deal valued at 6.8 billion ringgit ($1.4 billion).

Amid the shifting landscape of post-pandemic life, travel has emerged as a top priority for seasoned travelers, with an increasing number of people placing greater value on travel experiences over material possessions. At least, so says a recent survey conducted among experienced travelers by The Global Rescue Companies, a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services.

Pulling up to the red boat slip under a fiery sunset, no one in the boat was looking at the vivid pinks of the Caribbean sky. Instead, our eyes were on the towering hilltop ahead of us, with its wind turbines and precarious Balinese-style treehouses. Night was falling, and glowing ambient lights flickered on as if by magic to light up a maze of jungle-nestled villas and dirt paths. A man in well-tailored dress pants, a button-down, and loafers emerged; not the billionaire we’d come for, but one of the many trusted Sir Richard Branson whisperers in a staff of 134 we'd encounter over the next few days. “Welcome to Necker,” Eddie beamed.

The Skift Travel Podcast has brought listeners industry-defining news and reporting, as well as featured interviews that have highlighted critical issues in the business of travel.

Imagine my horror when I woke up early one Tuesday morning to find several emails from American Airlines AAdvantage and Rocket Rental Car Awards confirming my successful redemption of hundreds of thousands of AAdvantage miles for several car rentals set to begin later that day.

Even as the grounding of the Max 9 prompted Alaska Airlines to cancel thousands of flights in January, the carrier came out relatively unscathed in the first quarter. And that’s partly because its business travel fully recovered to 2019 levels. 

Traveling aboard an Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) – the ferry network that connects Alaska's coastal communities – offers the same views as the cruise ships, but without the fluff.

Planning a vacation this summer? Yeah, you and just about everyone else.

Travel brands are busy preparing for the upcoming summer season, and travel demand is xpected to surpass pre-pandemic levels. What are the major trends for this summer?

The aircraft has hit cruising altitude, there’s no turbulence, and you’re settled comfortably in your seat, eager to give the in-flight entertainment your full attention. There’s just one problem: You’re unable to clear your ears.